Washers and Dryers: Deciding between the Must-Haves and other Features

Buying a new laundry pair typically starts with the commitment of a sizeable investment and then continues on with the determination of the best washer/dryer combination, followed by deciding on the features that can provide convenience, save time and deliver energy-efficiency. In terms of convenience, time savings, and energy-efficiency, there are several must-haves that should be included, if at all possible, on each machine.

The washing machine:

            Load sensors – Washing machines offer a variety of sensor options that can assess each load for weight and soil levels and then make adjustments in the amount of detergent that is dispensed as well as amount of water that will be necessary for complete cleaning. While heavy materials and loads with high soil amounts will likely run at full cycle settings, these sensors can shorten cycle durations, and reduce detergent and water usage consumption for lighter fabrics.

\         A built-in water heater if you’ll be running a sanitize cycle on a regular basis – Sanitizing cycles require temperatures of 140 degrees and higher, which requires the water heater to be set at that temperature on a full-time basis. A built-in water heater will allow you to heat water for sanitizing cycles as needed, which can save $20 to $60 per year versus heating water on a daily basis to a temperature that is rarely necessary.

            ENERGY STAR certification – According to ENERGY STAR, certified washing machines use 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than non-certified machines. To get an idea of the savings, a full sized ENERGY STAR rated washing machine uses about 8 gallons less per load than a standard machine, which translates to a savings of 27,000 gallons of water over the expected life of the unit.

The dryer:

            

      A moisture sensor – Like the sensors in the washing machine, a moisture sensor can save time and energy, especially when lighter fabrics are being dried. These sensors monitor the amount of vapor in the dryer basin and then stop the cycle once vapor content drops to a point that indicates that the moisture in the load has fully evaporated.

            Plenty of capacity – If you’re buying a matched laundry pair, the drier will have about twice as much capacity as the washing machine to facilitate efficient drying. If you’re buying separate units, make sure that the capacity ratio of your drier to the washing machine is 2 to 1.

            Steam – Having a steam option provides the convenience of being able to refresh clothes without washing them and can also be used to loosen wrinkles.               

If the purchase of a new laundry pair is in your near future, you’ll likely have a full buffet of features from which to choose. By prioritizing the above mentioned essentials, your laundry pair will deliver convenient use as well as savings of time and lower utility bills.